Northrop Grumman, NEWPORT NEWS, VA: Northrop Grumman Corporation reached a construction milestone on April 9 by launching the second Virginia-class submarine, Texas (SSN 775). This was the company's first submarine launching in nearly a decade.
Northrop Grumman's Newport News sector is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the first 10 ships of the Virginia class. Current plans call for 30 Virginia-class submarines in the fleet. The first ship of the class, the USS Virginia (SSN 774) was delivered on Oct. 12, 2004. Virginia is the first major combatant delivered to the U.S. Navy that was designed with the post-Cold War security environment in mind.
Becky Stewart, vice president of submarine programs for Northrop Grumman Newport News, was among 150 employees and 40 sailors who participated in the launch.
